Improvement in farm-boxes



M. M. MURRAY.

Farm-Box FIG.1.

'2 Sheets--Sheet1.

Patented March 16, 1875.

THE GRAPHIC CO.PMOTO.-LITH.39 L41 PARK PLAGEJLY- UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

MARSENA M. MURRAY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN FARM-BOXES.

Specification tormin g part of Letters Patent No. 160,942, dated March 16, 1875; application filed February 17, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARSENA M. MURRAY, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and use ful Farm-Box, of which the following is a specification.

My box is designed for a convenient receptacle for holding, moving, and measuring roots, fruits, and other farm products, and is constructed of five or more boards and two cleats.

My box is designed to serve all the purposes for which baskets are now used upon a farm or market garden, as well as others for which a basket is not applicable.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my farm-box. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through one end and a portion of the bottom of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the box, a part of the end of the same being shown in section. Fig. A is' a longitudinal section through a wagon-body loaded with my farm-boxes, the latter being shown filled. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the same loaded wagon. Fig. 6 shows the manner of nesting the empty boxes in a wagon.

The bottom A of my box is .preferably a rectangular board of somewhat greater length than width, as represented-that is to say, with vertical side and beveled end edges. To the latter are nailed the ends B B, and to these and to the bottom are nailed the sides C C, each consisting of one or more boards. The ends B B flare outward and upward, as shown, and extend about two inches higher than the sides, and have notches or scallops b at the middle of their upper edges. The said notches are closed on top by strips or cleats D nailed fast to the top edges of the ends B B, so as both to strengthen them and to form convenient handles. The attachment of said cleats may be additionally secured by bind ers d of hoop-iron or other sheet metal, which binders may be arranged, as shown, by the strong or by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. The various members of the box are united by screws, nails, or pins E.

The dimensions of my box are preferably such as to constitute it an accurate measure of capacity, as, for example, a bushel. Its flaring and elevated ends, with their cleated and scalloped tops, afi'ord convenient handles and admit of the stacking one above another of successive tiers of such boxes without injury or contact with the contents, whose i11- sertion and discharge are facilitated by said flare, which also operates to support the fruit or other tender articles more lightly upon one another than if said ends were vertical.

Such boxes may be stowed in any desired number very compactly in a cellar, or wagonbed, or railroad'car, and by simply interposing strips or boards F, as in Figst and 5, any number of boxes may be stowed in tiers one above another, the elevated ends serving, as before stated, to protect the contents from injurious contact of the super-incumbent boxes.

The flaring ends enable a number of such boxes in the empty condition to be stacked, as in Fig; 6, so as to be conveyed in considerable numbers in an ordinary wagon-bed.

The dimensions of the box may be such as to enable a certain definite number of them to conveniently and compactly fill the bed of a customary farm or market wagon without waste of room, as represented in Figs. 4, 5, and 6. I

Such receptacles are much more economical than baskets, costing less, in the first instance, and being far more durable. They are also capable of being repaired by any one of ordinary mec-hanical skill.

1 claim As a new article of manufacture, the box composed of bottom A, sides C C, and notched and cleated flaring ends B D B D, which extend above said sides, in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony of which invent-ionI hereunto set my hand.

MARSENA M. MURRAY.

Attest:

GEO. H. KNIGHT, JOHN C. HEAL. 

